Hawks

The upcoming Olympic break will give every team in the NHL a chance to pause, reflect, and evaluate what they need to do to improve in the future. More importantly, it will allow them to look at potential trade targets to finish off their season. More than most, the defending Stanley Cup champions cannot relax and rest on their laurels; they have a brutal Western Conference to survive before they can even start thinking about a return to the post-season and a chance to defend their title. Fans betting on NHL know the team have not been performing lately and look as though they need fresh blood and some fine-tuning, although it would make no sense for them to make wholes...

Friday night's Hawks' victory over the Washington Capitals provided a thrilling show for nearly 20,000 Chicagoans at the UC. Hawks received goals from Viktor Stalberg (2) and the gamewinner from youngster Brandon Saad (plus 1 assist). Jonathan Toews finished the game with two assists.

I had the privilege of viewing the Hawks' game from Row 4 behind Corey Crawford for two periods of play. It was thrilling action, but obviously made it a little challenging trying to keep up with the gameplay at the opposite end of the ice in order to analyze some of the Chicago young guns.

Capitals opened the scoring midway through the first period with Joel Ward's t...